Episode 151: Passion for Jesus and Palm Springs with Pastor TJ + Jess McCall

Desert Springs family, we are thrilled to share an incredible story with you today! Hopefully, you had the chance to hear Pastor Steve’s inspiring sermon at the start of January, where he unveiled the vision and dreams for 2025. A key part of that vision includes partnering with a pre-existing church plant in Palm Springs, CA, called Passion Church. Our host, Sarah Schalow, had the privilege of sitting down with Pastor TJ and Jess McCall, who have been leading Passion Church since 2023. If you call Desert Springs home, we strongly encourage you to tune in to this conversation to learn more about Passion Church and the heart behind TJ and Jess’s ministry. The conversation kicks off with TJ sharing about his upbringing in Monterey, where church was more of a moral obligation than a personal conviction. As a teenager, he began questioning matters of faith and grew deeply skeptical. You’ll have to listen to hear about the path TJ was heading down and how God intervened, radically transforming his heart and life. Jess shares her own story, describing a childhood rooted in faith but lacking that deep passion for Jesus until her late teens. God’s hand was evident as He brought TJ and Jess together, and shortly after marrying, they dove headfirst into ministry. While their journey has been filled with joy, it has also included significant challenges, including experiencing intense church hurt. Despite the pain, their love for ministry never wavered. God eventually led them to serve at a church in Arizona, a season that prepared them for something even greater—planting Passion Church in Palm Springs. There’s so much more to their story than we can summarize here, so don’t miss out on hearing it all! Their testimony of perseverance, faith, and obedience will inspire and encourage your heart.

Learn more about Passion Church in Palm Springs

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Learn more about Venture Church Network (which Desert Springs and Passion Church are a part of)

Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com

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